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aeajr
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 Posted - 04/25/2007 : 9:23:51 PM
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Eastern Soaring League Newsletter April 2007
From the Editor - Ed Anderson
Welcome to the first ESL newsletter of the 2007 season. For those who don¡¦t know me, I have been a member of the ESL for about three years. I have been flying sportsman during that time and really enjoying the friendly competition and the camaraderie that the ESL provides.
I hope to bring some value to the League by facilitating communication via the Newsletter and by helping to enhance the content of the ESL web site, as I am also Website Content Editor. Jose Bruzal continues as Website Technical Editor. He keeps it running and I try to help attract interest through content, both yours and mine. If you have input for the web site or this newsletter it is very welcome.
Objectives for the Newsletter
I am not really sure of the form and format for the newsletter, so I am open to your input. I have several objectives for the newsletter
Distribute information or updates on the ESL contests
Gather news about what is happening in the soaring community
Share updates on the ESL Website
Share any news you provide
We will see how it goes and grows for 2007. I hope you enjoy it.
2007 OFFICERS AND STAFF
Tony Guide - President
David Beach - Secretary/Treasurer
Tom Kiesling - Contest Coordinator
Anker Berg-Sonne - Scoring Systems Coordinator
Jeff Steifel - Public Relations Coordinator.
John Hauff - Clinic Coordinator.
Phil Barnes ¡V Winch Conditioning
Jose Bruzual ¡V Web Site Technical Editor
Ed Anderson ¡V Web Site and Newsletter Content Editor
CONTEST REPORTS
http://www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=15
We have a new location for contest reports. In the past a contest report would appear on the ESL home page for a while and you could link to the larger story. But, when a new report was posted, the old one was no longer available to be read. Now you will be able to look back over the reports historically.
The goal here, once again, is to show interested pilots that ESL events are fun and exciting as well as skill building and competitive. We will post photos from each event as you make them available.
2007 EVENTS CALENDAR
Consult the Web Site for Updates and Registration
http://www.flyesl.org/calendar.asp
May 5, 6 BASS HLG
June 2, 3 IGLGF (Not ESL)
June 9, 10 SKSS 1
June 13-17 AEROTOW 2007 - Monticello, IL
Not a sanctioned ESL event
June 16, 17 Polecat Challenge HLG
June 23, 24 LISF 1
July 7, 8 DBSF
July 14, 15 CRRC HLG
July 22-29 AMA NATS
August 4, 5 LISF HLG
Aug 11, 12 CRRC
Aug 18, 19 CASA HLG
Aug 25, 26 SJSF 1 (Tentative)
Sep 8, 9 CASA Open
Sep 15, 16 SJSF HLG
Sep 22, 23 LISF 2
Oct 6, 7 ESL EOS ¡V Reading PA
Oct 20-21 East Coast HLG Festival - ESL HLG EOS - Wilson, NC
FIRST CONTEST OF THE YEAR - BASS HLG
Looks like we have a good turnout for the contest with 23 pilots registered as of this date. If you have not registered yet, there is still time. You can register here:
http://www.flyesl.org/contest_registration/registration_list.asp?cid=3
Location: Baltimore, MD
Sanctions: AMA and ESL
Registrar: John Appling
Phone: 410-374-2463
Event: 2007 East Coast Hand Launch Classic
Event Homepage: www.soarmd.org/ECHLC/
Schedule: Check-in Time 8:00 a.m.
Pilots meeting 9:10 a.m.
First Flight 9:30 a.m.
THE NOVICE PROGRAM - What is it?
This was a topic of significant discussion at the end of season meeting. As you saw in the minutes, if you visited the link, the feeling was that Novice was a success that should be expanded and adopted by Contest Directors whenever possible. A write up has been posted on the web site that puts Novice into prospective with Sportsman and Expert.
Below is an excerpt from the article:
NOVICE
Novice is not a competition class in the ESL. Nor it a statement about a pilot's skills. Novice is an introductory program designed to give a pilot, with no ESL competition experience, an opportunity to try it out without actually being in serious competition. You could be a new flyer or you may have years of experience but have little or no competition experience. If that is the case, you are welcome to register as a novice. The goal is to help you become accustomed to the tone and the flow of ESL competition glider Flying and how the events work.
The full article can be found here.
www.flyesl.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=263" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=263
CLINICS This is taken from the End Of Season Meeting Minutes
There was a discussion regarding the initiatives instituted after the 2005 ESL EOS meeting. It was concluded that the clinics need more work and effort in the subjects related to thermal duration flying. It was suggested that clinics continue at the club level. John Hauff volunteered to be the Clinic Coordinator. John will organize volunteers to sponsor, run or participate as the clinic focal point at each ESL contest. It was suggested that visiting flyers (not workers at the hosting contest) run the clinics.
If you would like to discuss the topic of clinics, contact John at tankman58@aol.com
ESL LOGO ITEMS NOW AVAILABLE
Photos below
The ESL is fortunate this year to have a wide selection of items that bear the ESL Logo. We have two suppliers, who are providing different items, so we have something for everyone.
Embroidered Apparel
We have embroidered shirts, hats, jackets, sweat shirts and more items available for order by phone or mail from Maria's Gift Shop of Syosset, which is located about a mile from the LISF flying field in NY. Maria is the wife of our Web Site Editor, Ed Anderson.
These are quality items suitable for field wear, or all around casual wear. They are available in a variety of colors and styles. The order form and more samples photos are provided on the ESL store page at:
www.flyesl.org/store/" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/store/
If you have questions you can contact Maria's Gift
Shop at (800) 371-6018 or mladzyns@optonline.net and Maria will be happy to help you.
If you are attending the same events Ed is attending, place your order at least three weeks ahead and Ed will bring the order to the event so you can avoid shipping charges.
Printed Items
We also have printed items, which was arranged by David Beach, ESL Secretary/Treasurer. These items range from printed T-shirts and sweatshirts to mugs and mouse pads. These can be ordered from CafePress via the web at www.cafepress.com/FlyESL" target="_blank">http://www.cafepress.com/FlyESL where you can see samples.
THE NOVICE LOUNGE
www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=14" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=14
In the middle of 2006, the ESL opened a new forum on the ESL web site called the Novice Lounge. The purpose of this forum was to gather content that would be helpful to new soaring pilots, whether they fly contests or not. The feeling being that more traffic to our web site will gain exposure for the ESL that will generate more interest in our activities.
In fact, the statistics show that this has been a huge success. Hits on the ESL site have gone up dramatically.
If you have not visited the novice lounge, please take a look. Today we have 41 articles and discussions on everything from first gliders to a description of the Novice, Sportsman and Expert classes that are flown at ESL contests.
You are invited to contribute to the content of this forum. Please share your expertice and advice. Help make the ESL web site an important destination for the soaring community. This can only help the ESL grow and soaring to prosper as a sport.
A WORD ON SCORING FROM ANKER
Anker Berg-Sonne is our score system coordinator. In addition to taking on this thankless job for the Eastern Soaring League, Anker is also an accomplished pilot.
In order to help get us off on the right foot, Anker has started a discussion thread on our scoring system. I think you will find the write-up interesting. Best of all, you can post questions about the scoring system. Anker can share strategies on how to improve your score and what elements will help you get the most out of each flight.
Anker¡¦s wisdom can be found here
www.flyesl.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=282" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=282
FREQUENCY CONTROL
According to Jose Bruzual, Website Technical Director, one of the most under utilized features on the ESL web site is the ¡§frequency¡¨ board and "myaccount". Here you can post your primary and secondary frequencies. This helps CDs manage frequency conflicts. It can also help you in the selection of your next transmitter. If you are trying to decide on a channel, check the frequency board to see which are the least used channels. You can find it here. Note that one of the 40 range channels has no one on it as a secondary account.
Frequency board
www.flyesl.org/frequencyBoard.asp" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/frequencyBoard.asp
2.4 GHz THE FUTURE OF RC RADIO SYSTEMS No more frequency control!
2.4 GHz radio systems for our model airplanes have hit the market in force. There are now four suppliers and more are expected. Among the most obvious benefits are that these systems eliminate the need for frequency control. The transmitter takes care of conflict avoidance, so you just turn on and fly. Also, no more concern about negative or positive shift receivers or high and low channel range concerns. You can also expect less glitching and no more shootdowns. This is the future or RC flying!
There are two discussions open on the ESL forums on the subject Join in the discussions and share your thoughts and your experience.
Are You Flying 2.4 GHz Radios with Composite Sailplanes?
www.flyesl.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=280" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=280
How will 2.4 GHz Change Fuselage Design?
www.flyesl.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=281" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=281
What does AMA have to say about 2.4 GHz?
AMA Frequency Chart - 2.4 is now on it.
www.modelaircraft.org/comp/frequency.htm" target="_blank">http://www.modelaircraft.org/comp/frequency.htm
AMA Position Statement - like 2.4 GHz
www.modelaircraft.org/spreadspec.asp" target="_blank">http://www.modelaircraft.org/spreadspec.asp
Steve Kaluf, AMA Technical Director, wrote on the subject in the March 2007 issue of Model Aviation - He reviewed the Spektrum DX7 system.
Now that we have full range systems, systems that support advanced programming, and modules for many current transmitters, 2.4 GHz should definitely be on your list of features to consider when you are ready for your next radio system upgrade. Here is what is available.
Spektrum 6 and 7 channel 2.4 GHz systems and Modules for Futaba and JR transmitters
www.spektrumrc.com/DSM/AirProducts.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.spektrumrc.com/DSM/AirProducts.aspx
The Spektrum DX7 was reviewed in the May issue of Quiet Flyer.
JR Just Announced 9 and 12 Channel 2.4 GHz Systems
They won't be out till the summer, so put that Visa away. ;-)
www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5704479/tm.htm" target="_blank">http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5704479/tm.htm
The JR announcement is a clear endorsement of the Spektrum technology. JR will be compatible with its own receivers and with Spectrum¡¦s receivers.
Futaba 6 and 12 channel 2.4 GHz radio systems and modules
http://2.4gigahertz.com/index.html
Futaba transmitters only talk to Futaba receivers.
Xtreme Power Systems - 2.4 GHz Modules for JR, Futaba and Hitec
Multiplex and Airtronics to come later
www.xtremepowersystems.net/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.xtremepowersystems.net/index.php
Transmitters with Xtreme Power modules will only talk to Xtreme Power receivers.
The three 2.4 GHz implementations are incompatible with each other, just as PCM is unique to each brand. However they should not interfere with each other.
HERE TO SERVE YOU
Well, that is the first Newsletter of 2007. I hope you enjoyed reading it. I hope you found some useful content that will help you this season.
If you have ideas or input for the next Newsletter, which I hope to send out in late May, please feel free to write. Send your notes, comments, content to Ed Anderson at aeajr@optonline.net
Best regards,
Ed Anderson
ESL Content Editor
aeajr on the forums
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ESL Newsletter - April 2007
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